Automatic numbering device



Marh 2, 1937.

K. FRENZEL AUTOMATIC NUMBERING DEVICE Filed May 23. 1 I

Patented Mar. 2, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE AUTOMATIC NUMBERING DEVICE Kurt Ftenzel, Leipzig, Germany. P

'applicationma 'zs, 1934, Serial No. 727,084

, I Germany'May 27, 1933 13 Claimslcl. ion-as)- s This invention relates to automatic numbering devices for printing presses, in which the feed motion of the number wheels is effected by a member built into the numbering device and depressed duringthe printing step by the impressiorr cylinder or the platen of the press.

The known numbering devices of this "class number either forward or backward, but do not permit alternative numbering. '(Printers are therefore compelled to provide for'two different types ofnumbring devices, 1. e., one whose numher-wheels bear numbers arranged for counting forward and another one for counting backward.

The object of the-invention is to provide'a' numbering device for printing presses, which can move forward as well as" backward and which possesses, for forward and backward motion,.

separate or, reversible control members for the transition to tens.. The members serving for bringing aboutthis transition-must be double,

. that is, one of them must be capable 'of forward adjustmentand another one capable of backward or forward or backward adjustments, since, when counting forward, the tens digit has to be ad- I alternatively engage, or become disengaged from, M

the respective-feed wheels. As in the known numbering devices transition totens is due to a special shapeof the 'feedwheels and pawls, both feed systems must be provided with separate feed motion for the tens owing to the fact that one system works while the other stops. The provi-, sion of two feed wheels for each'num'ber wheel and two sets of 'pawls would, however, involve a considerable enlargement of 'the numbering device, and the invention substitutes therefore for the two feed wheels apin gear which can alternatively to the right or left of the shaft be engaged by the pawl or feed lever.

Other features of the invention. serve the sam purpose of providing a numbering. device of compact and handy design and insuring reliable feeding. a D

By .way of example, the accompanying drawing illustrates one form of the invention on an enlarged scale. I

Figure 1 is a sideview of anumbeflng device according to the invention; Fig. 2, a .top view 'frame- I.

thereof; Fig. 3, asection on the line A-B; of.

Fig. 1; Fig. 4, a view inthe direction of the arrows E-,- F, of Fig. 1, with the'cover removed; Fig. 5,

a section on the line 0-D, of Fig. 1; Fig. 6,

a. section on the line G --H, of Fig. 1; Fig. 7, 5 a side view of a-number wheel; Fig. 8, a detail view of the locking device for the number wheels;

and Fig. 9, a cross section of anumber wheel.

1 is a U-shaped frame whose two sides lb form hollow bodieshaving two detachable'walls 10 2 and 3. 'A U-shaped how 4 is oscillatorily securedto the frame I by means of the screws 8 and extends parallel to the base plate la of the The web of the U-shapedbow' t ,extends from oneside of the u-shaped frame l. 15 to the other. The sides 4a of. the bow d extend through corresponding recesses into the hollow space of the frame sides lb and'jterminate in forks which, surround pivots or a shaft guided with flattened parts in'a slot of. the sides lb 0 of the U-shaped frame l. The ends of the shaft 6 disposed in the hollow spaces of the sides lb of the frame I carry each a.slide l. The shaft 6 is influenced by two springs 8 disposed in the hollow spaces of the, sides lb of the'frame l and supported with one end on the bottom of the hollow spaces and with the-other end upon the slide 1; The springs 8 press theqshaft 6 against the plate 2 covering the :hollow spaces of the sides lb of the frame lon top. The'guide s'loti for'the shaft 6 in'the sides lb is so dimensioned that the shaft 6, against the action of the springs B, can be pressed a few millimeters towards the base plate la 01 the frame l, the parallel displacement of'the shaft 6 being insured by the .bow i. l

'I'he'shaft 6 carries the number wheels or discs 9, Illa, 10b, eta-forming a decagon on their circumference'and bearing on' their peripheral sur- 1 faces the consecutive numbersO to 9. The num+ 4 .be'r wheel 9 represents the units; the wheel Illa,

the tens; ,the. wheel. 10b, .the hundreds, and so forth. The unit wheel '9 is provided'on its outer face with ten pins ll arranged ona concentric I circle and extending parallel to the shaft 6. To 45 the portion of the shaft 6 positioned between the unit wheel 9 and the neare'stside lb of the frame l a finger I2 is secured which is directed towards the base plate la ofthe frame I and projects with its free oiiset end behind therow of pins l I from 50 below. Inthis relatively thick offset end a. ball I3 is locatedf on the side facing the row of pins H and pressed against the latter by the spring II. when the unit wheel 91s in such a position that two faces are parallel to the base plate Id of the frame I, or, in other words, in printing position, the ball I3 will engage the gap between two pins II and thus lock the unit wheel 9 in'posltion.

lever I5 extending approximately parallel to the base plate is disposed so as to be movable about pins I6. The ends of these two levers I5, which face eachpther, engage a recess of the finger I2 carried by the shaft 6 and embrace each a pin II provided on the finger I2 in the said recess, sothat during an upward and downward motion of the shaft 6 the ends of the levers I5 will swingabout their suspension pins I6. To the free end of one lever I5 a pawl I8 is articulated by means' of a small screw and engages the row. of pins I I.

spring I9 securedto the frame I pre'ses the pawl I8 against the row of pins I I. If the shaft 6 is depressed, the pawl I8 will move in opposite direction, 1. e., upwardly. The lever I5 is so dimensioned that during this relative motion of the row of pins II and the pawl 18 the latter moves only from one pin II to the next. If the shaft moves up again in response to the action of the springs 8, the pawl I8 will descend and thus move the unit wheel one step. As the shaft 5 and the pawl I8 move in opposite directions,

the depression of the shaft 6 can be relatively slight to insure feeding. Clockwise or counterclockwise, or forward or backward feeding of the unit wheel is effected by articulating the pawl I8 to one or the other of the levers I5. Since the pawl I8 is easily detachably secured to the levers l5 only by means of the small screw mentioned, it can be readily moved from one lever to the other, according to the feed required. It is further possible to provide each lever I5 with a pawl I 8, one of which will then be in operative position at a time.

On its side facing the tens .wheel Ilia. the unit wheel 9 is offset like a hub, and in' this offset portion a slide 20 moving in a guide-is radially displaceably arranged; The slide 20 is exposed to the action of a spring wire 2|, which presses it outwardly, and carries a pin 22 having preferably a square cross section. The outer. end of the slide 20 projects slightly beyond the circumference of the hublike portion, and the wheel I lie possesses on the side facing the unit wheel 9 a concentric annular groove 23 engaged by the pin 22. From the inner edge of the annular groove .23 extend towards the center of the wheelten ment of the pin 22 with one of the bulges 24 iseifected by causing, at a corresponding position of the unit wheel 9, the projecting end of the slide 20 during depression of the wheel 6 carrying the number wheels to strike a stop 25 provided on the base plate Idof the frame I, and to be pressed back. If at this position of the slide 2|] the unit wheel 9 is rotated by the pawl I8, the tens wheel Ilia, as stated, will be driven also, the outer edge of the slide pin 22 sliding along the stop' 25. 7 As the feeding of the unit wheel 9 by means of the pawl I8 is effected while the shaft 6 rises again, the bulges 24 must be so deep that the pin 22 a'c'zasee '9 is in printing position. On the other hand, if

the unit wheel 9 is fed backward by the pawl I8, driving of the tens wheel is effected when the-figure 0 is in printing position on the unit wheel Illa. As in the first case the member 22 is in a different position relative to the base plate Ia of the frame I than in the second, the stop 25 initiating the driving of the tens wheel Ilia must be capable of occupying different positions on the plate Ia according to whether the pawl I8 is set for forward or backward feed. For this reason the stop 25 is disposed on aslide 26 movable in a transverse groove of the base plate or web Ia of the frame I and adapted to be brought into two end positions, according to whether the pawl I8 is secured to the one or other lever I5.

On the undersideof the shaft 6 a longitudinal groove 6a is provided from which transversebores 8b extend closely in front ,of the wheels Illa, IIIb, etc. Into the transverse bores Sb'one end of angular sheet metal pieces 21 is introduced whose other side is inserted in the longitudinal groove 6a. The wheels Illa, IIIb, etc. are provided in their bores with ten grooves, and if they are in printing position, one of these grooves is 10- cated directly underneath a metal piece 21. The metal pieces 21 are subjected to the action of springs 28 disposed in bores of the shaft 6 for pressing the side of the metal piece 21 parallel to' the shaft 6 into theoppo'site groove of the respective number wheels Illa, etc.,which are thus' secured in their position occupied at the time. The unit wheel 9 and-the tens wheel IOa are now so close. together that the angular member 21 engages with its free end a corresponding groove of the slide 20 arranged on the unit wheel 9. When the slide 20 is pushed back on coming in contact with the stop 25, it simultaneously acts upon-the angular member 21 looking the tens wheel Illa and depresses it until it is disengaged from the wheel Illa which is thus released for feeding. When the slide 20 returns to initial position after disengagement from the stop 25, the angular member 21 will engage again a groove of the tens wheel Ilia to lock this wheel with the shaft 6. The-lower edge of the angular member 21 and the groovesof the tens .wheel Illa are wedge-shaped, so that the wheelIOa --is always drawn into adeflnite position, owing to the wedge effect of the angular member 21 and the grooves. This automatic positioning of the tens wheel Ilia is important for the reason that it is necessary for the slide 20 to leave the stop 25 just before the feeding of the unit wheel 8 is completed to prevent the slide 20 at the next depression of the shaft 6 whenv the tens wheel I0a need not be fed from coming with its rear end in'contact with the stop 25.

Feeding of the hundreds, thousands, etc. is like feeding the tens.- For this purpose, each wheel Iflb, IIIc, etc. is provided on one side with a slide 2Il fitted with a pin22 and on theother' side a concentric annular groove 23 having bulges 24. There is further provided a stop 25 for each'wheel, these stops being absolutely alike and arranged on the common carriage 26. As the steps 25 as well as all 'otherparts required for the feeding of tens are of similar construction within their type, automatic feeding can be provided for each numi 3 the depressed number wheels.

a It is evident that feeding of the number wheels cannot be effected as long as they are in contact with the work to be printed, as otherwise blurring of the freshly printed figures would result. For

' this reason, means are provided for retarding the ,I the other half of it projecting outwardly through a slot in the plate 2 covering this hollow space.

i -The portion of the feeler. 29 located inside the hollow space'is influenced by a spring 30 which usually keeps it in an almost horizontal position while the exposed end rests laterplly on the side lb of the frame I In this position the lever 29 is located somewhat below 'the vertex of the numher wheels 9, Illa, etc., that is, below printing height. ,When the numberwheels are depressed together with the shaft 6, the lever 29 will slightly move up from its horizontal position, as its. fulcrum jis drawnv down with the shaft '6 and its 30 upper portion cannot cooperate in the descent for the reason that it rests on theside lb of the frame l Notwithstanding the downward motion of the lever 28,- its outer end will rise to a certain extent, 1. e., up to the level of the apex of the feeler 29 which is ontopwhen the latter is approximately in horizontal position a clearance flla'forms a notch into which snaps an-elastic pawl 3i rotatably disposed on the inside of the 40 wall 3 shutting oil the hollow space of the side lb of the frame l when the lever 29 moves down impression cylinder of the press, so that its further motion depends on the increase of the distance between the impression cylinder and the numbering device. Ata complete stroke of the lever 29 due to the pawl 3l the extreme end of the lever will, however,-advance ahead of the upward motion of the shaft 6, and the feeding of the number wheels can thus be eifected only if 0 the sheet has moved away from them for a certain distance, so that blurring is prevented.

.I claim:-

1. An automaticnunibering "device for printing presses, comprising, in combination, a' frame, a

es shaftztextending longitudinally through .said

On the edge 01" number wheel except the first on the side facing the preceding number wheel for guiding the pin of the slide of the preceding number wheel,

uniformly distributed bulges extending from the inner edge of each annular groove towards the 5 center of the wheel, andv a stop at the bottom of the frame under each number wheel for pressing back the slide during the descent of the shaft to cause the pin thereof to engage the annular groove of the adjacent number wheel and to couple both wheels. 1

2. -An automatic numbering device for printing presses, comprising, in combination, a frame, a shaft extending longitudinally through 'said frame, spring bearings in said frame for said shaft permitting the latter to be'depressed by the impression cylinder or platen of a press, a plurality of number wheels on said shaft, a hublike projection on each wheel except the last on the side facing the next higher number wheel, a spring-actuated radially displaceable slide in said projection, said slide extending with its outer a spring-actuated radially displaceable slide disframe, spring bearings in said frame for said said projection, said slide extending'with its.

outer end beyondsaid projection, ,a pin carried 75 by said slide, a concentric annular groove in each 7 end beyond said projection, a pin carried by said slide, a concentricannular groove in each num-' ber wheel'except the first on the side fa'cing the preceding number wheel for guiding the pin of the slide thereof, uniformly distributed bulges extending, from the inner edge of each annular groove towards the center of the wheel, a stop at the bottom of the frame under each number 30 wheelfor pressing back-the slide duringthe descent of'the shaft to cause engagement of the pin thereof with the annular groove of the adjacent number wheel and the coupling of both wheels, and a slide movably disposed within the frame and carrying said stops.

3. An automatic numbering device for printing presses, comprising, in combination, a=frame, a grooved shaft extending longitudinally through said frame, spring hearings in said frame for said shaft to permit the latter to be depressed by the impression cylinder or platen of a press, a plurality'of grooved number wheels on said shaft, a hublike projection on each wheel except the last on the side facing the nexthigher number wheel,

posed in said projection, a pin carried by said slide, a concentric annular groove 'i'n each number wheel except the first on the side facing the preceding number'wheel to guide the pin thereof, 50 uniformly distributed bulges extending from each annular groove to the wheel center, ai-i stop at the bottom of the frame under each wheel to engage the. slide, anotherslide movably disposed in the r frame for carrying the stops, and an angular member repressibly disposed in the groove of the shaft and engaging a groove of. the number wheels and controlled by the stop of the precedingnum'ber wheel. v l

4. An automatic numbering device for printing presses, comprising in combination, a frame, 'a

grooved shaft extending longitudinally through said frame, spring bearings in said' frame for said shaft to permit the latter to be depressed by the impression cylinder or platen of a press, a plurality of grooved number wheels on said shaft, a I

- hublike projection on each wheel except the last .cept the first on the side facing the preceding I numberlwheel to guide the pin thereof, uniformly distributed bulges extending from each annu- 7 engaging a groove-of the number wheels and coni and engaging a groove of the number wheels and controlled by the stop of the preceding number I wheel, said angular member having an arm vertically disposed thereto and guided in a bore of the shaft.

5. An automatic numbering device for printing presses, comprising, in combination, a frame, a grooved shaft extending longitudinally through said frame andelastically arranged in said frame to be depressed by the impression cylinder or platen of a press, a plurality of grooved number wheels on said shaft, a hublike projection on each wheel except the last on. the side facing the next higher number wheel, a spring-ractuated grooved slide radially 'displaceable' in said projection, a

in r ie b s id lide, concen c annularp ca r d y a s a m 'numberdisc for the next feeding step, a ratchet groove in each number wheel except the first on the side facing the preceding number .wheel to guide the pin thereof, uniformly distributedbulges'extending from each annular groovb to the wheel center, a stop at the bottom of the another slide movably disposed in the frame for carrying the stops, and an angulanmember retrolled by the stop of: the preceding number wheel, said angularmember having an arm extending parallel to the shaft and engaging a groove of the slide of.the preceding number wheel.

6. An" automatic numbering device for printing presses, comprising, in combination, a frame hav ing hollow sides, a shaft extending longitudinally through saidframe and elastically arranged therein to bedepressed by the impression cylinder or platen of a press, a feeler lever movably for keeping the inserted portion of said lever apdisposed" at one end of said shaft and partly inserted in one of the hollowisides of.the frame,

said lever having a notched top edge, a spring proximately horizontal, and a spring-actuated pawProtatably disposed on the frame .and adapted to engage the notched edge of said lever during depression of the shaft and,toraise the lever during the subsequent ascent of the shaft while being disengaged therefrom. e

7-. An automatic numbering device for print-.

ing presses. comprising, in combination, a frame, a shaft extending longitudinally of said frame,

a plurality of'numbenprinting wheels carried by the shaft and being feedable clockwise or counterclockwise,,means for locking the wheels in their occasional positions, means for stepwise feeding said wheels in predetermined order and means adapted to be depressed by the irnpression cylinder or platen of a press and controlling said wheel feeding means, the part of the'wheel feeding means, whichis moved by the last named means being arrangeable in two different positicns for entailing alternatively a clockwise or a coimterclockwis'e' feeding of she number'printing wheels. 1 g. j

8. An automatic numbering device for print-" ing presses, comprising in' combination, a frame,

their occasional positions, 'means'for coupling each number printing disc having completed a full revolution with the adjacent number printing disc for the next feeding step, a ratchet pawl I engageablewith said ratchet wheel, means for actuating, said coupling means and means adapted to be depressed by the impression cylinder or platen of a press and controlling said pawl, this pawl being arrangeable in two different positions for entailing alternatively a clockwise or a counterclockwise feeding of the number printing discs. I

9. An automatic numbering device for printing presses, comprising, in combination, a frame, a shaft extending longitudinally of said frame, a plurality of number printing discs, carried by .the shaft, pins arranged in a concentric circle on the outside of the unit disc, means for locking the wheels in their occasional positions, means for couplingeach number printing disc having completed a full revolution with the adJacent pawl engageable with said circle of pins, means inder or platen of a press-and controlling said pawl, this pawl being arrangeable in two different positions for entailing alternatively a clockwise.

or a counterclockwise feeding of the number printing discs. I 10.An automatic numbering device for printing presses, comprising, in combination, aframe,

. by the shaft, pins arranged in a concentric circle on the outside of the unit wheel, a'ball pressed by a spring against said'circle of pins, means for coupling each number printing wheel having completed a full revolution with the adjacent .number printing wheel for the next feeding step, a ratchet pawl engageable with said circle. of

pins, means for actuating said coupling means, means adapted to be depressed by the impression cylinder or platen of a press and controlling said pawl, this pawl being arrangeable in two different positions for entailing alternatively a clockwise or a counterclockwise feeding of the a shaft extending longitudinally of said frame,

spring hearings in said frame for said shaft pression cylinder or platen of a press, a plurality of number printing wheels carried by the shaft permitting the latter to be depressed by the im-- I and being-feedable clockwise and counterclocksaid wheels in predetermined order, a finger arranged on said shaft and controlling said wheel feeding means, the part of the wheel feeding means which is moved by the finger being ar-' rangeable in two different positions for entailing alternatively a clockwise or a counterclock; wise feeding of'the number printing wheels.

12. An automatic numbering device for printing presses, comprising, in combination, a frame, ashaft extending longitudinally of said frame, spring bearings in said frame for the shaft p mitting the latter to be depressed by the impression cylinder or platen of a press, a plurality of number printing .wheels carried by said shaft and in predetermined order, a finger arranged on the shaft and two levers oscillatorily mounted on said frame and adapted to be contrarily actuated by the moving of said finger,"and means arrange-. able alternatively on the end of one or the other lever for stepwise feeding said number printing wheels in predetermined order clockwise or counterclockwise.

13. An automatic numbering device for printing presses comprising in combination a. frame, a shaft extending longitudinally of said frame, spring hearings in said frame for the shaft permitting the latter to be depressed by the impression cylinder or platen of a press, a plurality of number printing wheels carried by said shaft and being feedable clockwise or counterclockwise,

means for locking'the wheels in their occasional positions, means for stepwise feeding said wheels in predetermined order, a finger arranged on the shaft and two.levers being in alinement oscillatorily mounted on said frame, vertical to the finger and engaging with their ends neighboured with one anoth a pin on the finger of said shaft, a ratchet pawl arrangeable alternatively onthe outer end of one or the other of the two levers for entailing a clockwise or counterclockwise feeding of the number printing wheels.

' KURT FRENZEL. 

